Spray gun adaptor for aerosal cans

ABSTRACT

An adaptor device for detachable support to an aerosal spray can having a finger-operative spray knob adapted to be depressed in releasing the spray and aerosal contents of the can. The adaptor device includes convergingly acting base and head sections adapted to lengthwise embrace an aerosal can and includes a handle-like stock projection adapted to be hand-gripped in manipulating the spray can and in spraying the aerosal contents. The adaptor device includes a fulcrumed lever having one end thereof engaging the spray knob of the spray can and having the other end extending along the stock projection. A user of the device sprays the contents of the aerosal can by squeezing the lever and stock elements together.

United States Patent Clark [54] SPRAY GUN ADAPTOR FOR AEROSAL CANS [72] Inventor: William 0. Clark, Rt. 4, Box 401, Fort Myers, Fla. 33905 [22] Filed: Nov. 17, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 877,210

[52] US. Cl ..239/375, 222/474, 294/312 [51] Int. Cl. r r ..A47j 45/07 [58] Field ofSearch ..239/375, 376, 378;294/3l.2;

[4 1 May 2, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,513,007 l/l968 France ..239/375 Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Assistant ExaminerMichael Y. Mar

Attorney-John Cyril Malloy [5 7] ABSTRACT An adaptor device for detachable support to an aerosal spray can having a finger-operative spray knob adapted to be depressed in releasing the spray and aerosal contents of the can. The adaptor device includes convergingly acting base and head sections adapted to lengthwise embrace an aerosal can and includes a handle-like stock projection adapted to be hand-gripped in manipulating the spray can and in spraying the aerosal contents. The adaptor device includes a fulcrum ed lever having one end thereof engaging the spray knob of the spray can and having the other end extending along the stock projection. A user of the device sprays the contents of the aerosal can by squeezing the lever and stock elements together.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented May 2, 1972 INVENTOR. WILLIAM O. CLARK ATTORNEY.

SPRAY GUN ADAPTOR FOR AEROSAL CANS At the present time, many different products are packaged in aerosal can containers having finger-operative knob means for dispensing the aerosal contents from the can. Certain aerosal packaged products, such as paint coatings, may not be easily applied by aerosal spray can means; in the aerosal spray dispensing of paint coatings, the paint spraying procedure may be of prolonged duration, as for example, when the user is painting or coating a large surface area or an entire piece of furniture. In dispensing the aerosal contents, the user will typically grasp the aerosal can in one hand while manipulating the spray valve knob with the forefinger of the same hand. As may well be appreciated, such procedure may become very tiring during prolonged manipulation and use of an aerosal can in dispensing the aerosal contents. This is particularly a noticeable problem when dispensing paint products from a large size container and when the container is in a nearly full and heavy condition. Another irksome detail in the spraying operation of an aerosal can concerns the orientation of the spray nozzle opening. In the typical aerosal can dispenser, the spray nozzle is fitted in the finger-operative spray valve knob mounted in the aerosal can head section. The spray knob and noule combination typically may be rotated bidirectionally relative to the aerosal can body and a user may inadvertently not orient the spray knob in a proper disposition for spraying.

A primary object of the instant invention is to provide a spray gun type aerosal can adaptor operative for alleviating the strenuous hand and arm activity heretofore associated with the manipulation of an aerosal can container and in the dispensing of the aerosal contents.

A further object is to provide an adaptor device for aerosal cans having means whereby the nozzle opening of the aerosal can spray knob is always oriented in a proper direction and in a ready disposition for use.

A further object is to provide an adaptor device for aerosal cans having means for lengthwise embracing a can and such means adjustable for embracing different size cans.

A further object is to provide an adaptor device having loop or book means for hooking an existing support peg or the like and for elevatingly dependingly supporting a combination spray can and adaptor device when the same is not being used.

A further object is to provide an adaptor device which may be readily attached or detached from an aerosal can and used in exhausting the aerosal contents from an indefinite number of cans.

A further object is to provide an aerosal can adaptor device of substantially simple sturdy design and construction, which is easy to use and does not include intricate parts subject to breakage or malfunction.

A further object is to provide an adaptor device of design and configuration facilitating economical manufacture and marketing.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a top view of the aerosal can adaptor device of the instant invention and as being attached on an aerosal can (shown in broken lines);

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the adaptor device, taken as from FIG. 1, and illustrating the device in an inactive nonspraying disposition;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but partly in section and illustrating the device in an active disposition and in spraying the aerosal contents from the can;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal plane sectional view taken as on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and as looking in the direction of the arrows.

With reference to the drawings where in like reference characters are designated by like or corresponding numbers throughout the different views of the drawings, the adaptor device 12 is shown and described in conjunction with a pressurized aerosal can 14 having base and head portions l6, l8

and having spring-closed valved closure means arranged in the aerosal can head portion 18 including a valve actuating knob 20 defining a spray nozzle opening 22. Spray can 14 is of typical design and the aerosal content of the can is adapted to be dispensed through nozzle opening 22 by depressing spray knob 20.

The spray can adaptor device 12 preferably is formed of theremosetting plastic material and primarily includes embracing means 24 including base and head portions 26, 28 adapted to engage the base and head portions 16, 18 of aerosal can 14; includes tie means 30 adapted for adjustably positioning base and head portions 26, 28; a stock portion 32 supported on head portion 28 of the embracing means 24 and including a downwardly projecting stock grip portion 34; and an arcuate lever 36 pivotally fulcrumed from stock portion 32 and adapted for hand manipulation and the actuation of aerosal can spray knob 20.

The base portion 26 of the aerosal can embracing means 24 preferably is disc-configured and with an upper planar surface 42 adapted to abuttingly supportingly engage the bottom of the aerosal can base. The head portion 28 of the can embracing means 24 preferably is in the form of a symmetrically arranged pair of wing-like projections 28a, 28b, arranged generally coplanar and disposed respectively leftward and rightward of an imaginary fore-and-aft and vertical datum plane X-X (see FIG. 1). The underside surfaces of the winglike projections 28a, 28b, are adapted to abuttingly engage the upwardly oriented surfaces of aerosal can section 18. If desired, the projections 28a, 28b may be formed of material of semi-resilient character for readily conforming to the contour or surface configuration of an aerosal can head portion and for facilitating firm engagement with the aerosal can.

The tie means 30 preferably includes telescopingly configured base and head projections, 44, 46 integrally formed respectively with base and head portions 26, 28 of the can embracing means 24. Sprag action operative mating teeth elements 48, 50 integrally formed respectively on base and head projections 44, 46 define unidirectional lock means for adjustably positioning the base and head portions 26, 28 to correspond with the spacing of the head and base parts of a particular size aerosal can. The correspondingly configured teeth elements 48, 50 permit converging movement of the base and head portions 26, 28 of the aerosal can embracing means 24 but prevent diverging movement of the base and head sections and loosening of the aerosal can when the teeth elements are in engaged relation. The vertically arranged series of teeth elements 48 preferably are integrally formed on the forward face of base projection 44 and are oriented in uniform downwardly pointed disposition; the series of teeth elements 50 are disposed in the interior 52 of the tubular projection 46 and are preferably formed integrally with the forward wall portion 54 of the tubular head projection 46. The vertical series of interior teeth elements 50 oriented in upwardly pointed disposition are adapted to disengageably engage the downwardly projecting teeth elements 48 of base projection 44 when the adaptor 12 is being attached to the aerosal can 14.

The telescopically configured base and head projections 44, 46 are loosely fitted together and particularly for permitting fore-and-aft movement of base projection 44 relative to the head projection 46 (see FIG. 4). The relative cross sectional configuration respectively of the base and head projections 44, 46 define a clearance space 56 at least sufficient for permitting rearward movement of base projection 44 or disengaging the teeth elements 48, 50. The unidirectional locking action of the teeth elements defines substantially dual function: (a) by providing incremental adjustment means for adjustably fixing the distance between base and head portions 26, 28 to correspond with the longitudinal extension or size of a particular aerosal can, and (b) by providing releasably lock means for pemiitting engagement or disengagement of the adaptor 12 with an aerosal can.

The stock 32 and stock grip portion 34 of the adaptor device includes structure defining and obliquely extending passageway or opening 58 and a recess 60 adapted for loosely receiving the arcuate spray valve lever 36. The slot-like recess 60 extends vertically along the forward side 62 of stock 32 and communicates at its upper interior with the lower interior of through opening 58 and at an intermediate portion 64 of the stock structure. The primary section 40 of lever 36 is loosely received in recess 60 and is provided with a knobby or sinuous finger engaging surface 66 oriented forwardly relative to the stock.

The secondary section 43 of lever 36 terminates in a downwardly oriented socket 68 configured for loosely receiving the upwardly projecting spray knob 20 of the aerosal can. The socket structure 68 defines a downwardly facing abutment surface 70 adapted to abuttingly engage and depress spray knob 20 when the lever primary section 40 is gripped or squeezed by the user. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, it will be noted that the forward wall portion of the lever socket structure 68 is cut out for permitting ready passage of the aerosal substance of the spray jet 72 issuing from the spray nozzle 22. The adaptor 12 also preferably includes a loop or hook portion 74 integrally formed on the upper portion of stock 32. The hook portion 74 is adapted for engaging existing tool-supporting peg or rod structure 76 and for elevatingly supporting the aerosal can adaptor when it is not in use.

The adaptor device 12 preferably is formed with the stock portion 32, the stock grip portion 34, and the head portion 28 of the can embracing means being arranged in mating halfpart configuration disposed generally on opposite sides of the datum plane indicated XX in FIG. 1. The mating halves respectively of the stock and head portions indicated respectively 32a, 32b; 34a, 34b; 28a, 28b preferably are permanently secured in mating relation by a rivet 78 extending through the stock butt portion 80 and by the lever fulcrum pin 38 fixedly secured in stock portion 32.

In operation, a user of the adaptor device positions as aerosal can lengthwise between the base and head portions 26, 28 with the spray can head section 18 seated between the head projections 28a, 28b and with the can spray knob 20 received in the socket structure 68 of the actuating lever 36. The user then moves the base portion 26 of the adaptor device into engagement with the bottom of the aerosal can, thereby engaging teeth elements 48, 50 in sprag-locking engagement and firmly unitarily connecting the adaptor l2 and the aerosal can. The user may then manipulate and dispense the aerosal contents from the can simply by grasping the stock grip portion 34 and squeezing the lever primary section along finger-grip surface 66. After the contents of the aerosal can is exhausted or when it is desired to remove the can from the adaptor device, the user slightly convergingly moves the base and head portions 26, 28 for disengaging the teeth elements 48, 50, and while maintaining rearward pressure on the base portion 26, the base and head portions 26, 28 may be divergingly displaced thereby loosening the aerosal can for ready removal.

What is claimed is:

1. An adaptor for use with an aerosal spray can having spring-closed valved closure means arranged in the aerosal can head and having a valve actuating knob adapted to be depressed to exhaust and dispense the contents of the can, said adaptor comprising:

means adapted to snugly embrace said can and lying generally bilaterally symetrically of a datum plane coincident with the longitudinal center line of the can; stock means fixedly supported on said means to embrace including stock grip means lying generally bilaterally symetrically of said datum plane and spaced from said means to embrace; lever means; and fulcrum means pivotally fulcruming said lever means on an axis lying substantially perpendicular to said datum plane and demarcating said lever into primary and secondary sections projecting oppositely from said fulcrum means and with said primary section extending juxaposedly relative to said stock grip means and dis osed generally between said can embracing means an said stock grip means,

said secondary portion of said lever means having an abutment surface adapted to abutingly engage the valve knob of said aerosal can and to release and dispense the aerosal contents of the can upon hand-squeezing the lever primary portion and stock grip means convergingly,

said embracing means including base and head portions adapted for directly engaging respectively the base and head parts of an aerosal can and including tie means interconnecting said head and base portion and including lock means adapted for adjustably positioning said head and base sections at spacing corresponding with the spacing of the head and base parts of an aerosal can, said tie means of said can embracing means including bidirectional convergently congruent head and base projections, said lock means including sprag action operative mating teeth means formed respectively on said head and base projections correspondingly configured for permitting converging movement of said head and base sec tions while preventing diverging movement thereof.

2. An adaptor as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fulcrum means includes pin means for fulcruming said lever about a stationary pivot axis on said handle means.

3. An adaptor as set forth in claim 2, additionally including loop means supported on said stock means and adapted for engaging existing tool-supporting, horizontal rod structure for elevatingly dependingly supporting the aerosal can adaptor when same is idle.

4. An adaptore as set forth in claim 1, in which said tie means projections comprise telescopically related portions, said teeth means being disposed on adjacent confronting surfaces of said telescopically related portions, said telescopically related portions including a space opposite said teeth for permitting disengagement of said teeth when adjusting the adaptor to a can or removing the adaptor off a can. 

1. An adaptor for use with an aerosal spray can having springclosed valved closure means arranged in the aerosal can head and having a valve actuating knob adapted to be depressed to exhaust and dispense the contents of the can, said adaptor comprising: means adapted to snugly embrace said can and lying generally bilaterally symetrically of a datum plane coincident with the longitudinal center line of the can; stock means fixedly supported on said means to embrace including stock grip means lying generally bilaterally symetrically of said datum plane and spaced from said means to embrace; lever means; and fulcrum means pivotally fulcruming said lever means on an axis lying substantially perpendicular to said datum plane and demarcating said lever into primary and secondary sections projecting oppositely from said fulcrum means and with said primary section extending juxaposedly relative to said stock grip means and disposed generally between said can embracing means and said stock grip means, said secondary portion of said lever means having an abutment surface adapted to abutingly engage the valve knob of said aerosal can and to release and dispense the aerosal contents of the can upon hand-squeezing the lever primary portion and stock grip means convergingly, said embracing means including base and head portions adapted for directly engaging respectively the base and head parts of an aerosal can and including tie means interconnecting said head and base portion and including lock means adapted for adjustably positioning said head and base sections at spacing corresponding with the spacing of the head and base parts of an aerosal can, said tie means of said can embracing means including bidirectional convergently congruent head and base projections, said lock means including sprag action operative mating teeth means formed respectively on said head and base projections correspondingly configured for permitting converging movement of said head and base sections while preventing diverging movement thereof.
 2. An adaptor as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fulcrum means includes pin means for fulcruming said lever about a stationary pivot axis on said handle means.
 3. An adaptor as set forth in claim 2, additionally including loop means supported on said stock means and adapted for engaging existing tool-supporting, horizontal rod structure for elevatingly dependingly supporting the aerosal can adaptor when same is idle.
 4. An adaptore as set forth in claim 1, in which said tie means projections comprise telescopically related portions, said teeth means being disposed on adjacent confronting surfaces of said telescopically related portions, said telescopically related portions including a space opposite said teeth for permitting disengagement of said teeth when adjusting the adaptor to a can or removing the adaptor off a can. 